Workshop for promoting aquaculture in Bihar

Published: Thursday, October 25, 2007, 22:03 [IST]

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Patna, Oct 25 (UNI) In order to promote aquaculture in Bihar, a three -day workshop under the joint venture of Central Institute of Fisheries Education(CIFE), Mumbai, and state Animal and Fisheries department began here today.

Inaugurating the 5th Zonal workshop on ''Fisheries and aquaculture policy--sustainable development and livelihood perspectives'', Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said fisheries and aquaculture were actually the culture of Bihar, specially for those living in the Mithilanchal region.

'' Although, we have given aquaculture the status of agriculture, it must be uniformally accepted by all the state governments since aquaculture is a part of the agriculture, '' he maintained.

'' People keep talking about yellow revolution, white revolution, blue revolution and most of all green revolution but no one talks about 'Rainbow revolution', while all the colours are associated with agrarian revolution, '' Mr Kumar pointed out.

'' We must concentrate on all aspects of agrarian revolution which ultimately culminate in better GDP since agriculture is the backbone of our economy, '' he added.

He also exuded confidence that state would attain around 7-8 per cent of GDP during the next fiscal year.

Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, also holding the portfolio of Fisheries department, urged the Chief Minister to request the Central government for calamity relief fund which had not been given to Bihar despite loss of fishes during the flood.

He also demanded opening of a training centre under ICAR to give professional training to the local fishermen, currently being trained at various centres in Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh(AP) and Bhubneshwar.

Nearly 700 fishermen had been trained at the behest of the state government by various centres in AP and Orissa for better technical understanding, he added.